Their ancestors endured a humble existence living and working in a County Durham mining village 117 years ago.

Only a twist of fate separates the two from being neighbours in Hetton-le- Hole.

Birth and marriage certificates along with census documents have revealed that Kate's great-great- grandparents, John and Jane Harrison, used to live at 22 Nicholas Street, a tiny terraced home in the colliery village.

Nothing remains of the humble abode now, as it was demolished six months ago.

Wayne lives in neighbouring Thomas Street and is waiting to learn whether his home will also fall victim to the bulldozer.

He said: "It is strange how different people's lives pan out. Her ancestors made the move South and now she could be set to one day live in Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, while I am sat here wondering where I will be living in 2007."

Nicholas Street used to stand in the shadow of the village pit. The street was demolished after residents moved out and new tenants could not be found.

Thomas Street now looks certain to share the same fate as more than half the homes are boarded up.

Wayne, who is in receipt of sickness benefit, used to work as a miner until Murton pit closed in 1988.

He has lived all his life in Hetton-le-Hole, as have generations of his family before him. He said: "It's strange to think that one of my distant ancestors may have worked side-by-side, hundreds of feet underground, with Kate Middleton's great-great- grandfather.

"Our ancestors probably passed each other in the street hundreds of times. It makes you wonder what she would have turned out like if her ancestors had not made the move South."

Kate's great-grandfather, Thomas, made the break from mining by becoming a carpenter and moved to West London. That was the last time her branch of the family lived in the region.

But if she ever wants to trace her family history, Alan Wardle, landlord of Finnegans pub, which is at the end of Nicholas Street, said she and Prince William, pictured, would be more than welcome.

The staunch Royalist has a corner of the pub set aside dedicated to the late Queen Mother.

He said: "The land around here used to belong to the Bowes Lyon family which was the Queen Mother's family.

"We have a corner of the pub dedicated to her and we have the Queen's portrait behind the bar.

If Kate or Prince William ever stop by to look up her history, they will be more than welcome to a drink on the house."

POT LUCK:ancestors of Wayne Ashcroft and, inset, Kate Middleton, lived and worked in the same village